Is Media Really Dictated by the Government?

 Meteoric rise of Republic TV to the top slot in English news channels as per BARC rankings has given a severe jolt to TV channels, particularly English TV news channels. Such is the shock that they have walked out of BARC which they had helped set up with new standards after dismal failure of earlier TAM rankings.  Arguments supporting this move are nothing but word play.  They should have waited for 2-3 weeks to see how audience finally settles down in next 2-4 weeks rather than pulling the plug on the messenger who pointed out to their diminishing relevance. 

Current reaction is a knee jerk reaction betraying their panic. Some of them have admitted that overall viewers for English channels have increased with advent of Republic. Many of our viewers may not be aware that English viewers form only a miniscule of overall TV viewership. It is too embarrassing a gap to be disclosed here. You can go to BARC site to check out. English news channels should have welcomed acquisition of new viewers to their fold.

By showing this intolerance for a system that was appreciated by all the channels when it was implemented, they have only exposed their anxiety. As an experienced observer I can easily see the viewership pattern settling down to a lesser skew and gaps reduced.

All of us have noted a huge change in news presentation with advent of Republic. All English channels have shaken out of their routine drawing room kind of debates into finding real content that would keep viewer glued to them. This is a welcome sign. I have individually complemented many competing editors for their new content and presentation. It is the way healthy competition should be, not mud-slinging against competing channels.  Today, one is forced to surf different channels to look out for something new, some new scoop or for some new development. Viewer loyalty is no more guaranteed.  Content is the king – truly.

This feverish change in all the TV channels’ news presentation itself tells us that government has not tamed the TV channels; it is the audience that has tamed them and forced them to change the way news is being disseminated.

If you were to view BARC rankings since advent of PM Modi on the national scene, you will find that the channels presenting nationalist viewpoint have prospered in ranking as compared to anti-government and so-called ‘secular’ channels.  Such is audience impatience with negativity towards nationalist approach to national issues that even old venerable doddering DD has gained much better viewership.

Rise of Times Now to #1 was solely due to its strong unapologetic nationalist approach and unabashed criticism of ‘secular’ ‘liberal’ lobby under stewardship of Arnab Goswami. People who couldn’t stand the noise of his debates still saw it as it seemed to reflect their  viewpoint. It is instructive lesson for competition and sour secular lobby that after Arnab’s exit the new editorial team of Times Now didn’t deviate from the earlier line that had paid them rich dividends.  Infact, the new team is even more strident, being confident that this is what audience wished to hear and see.  Its moot point why bosses of the group allow them to take this line though they push for typical JNU type narrative in their newspapers.  I would guess, it is commerce of viewership.

I do not get time to view regional channels but from whatever I have heard and seen, channels that are objective and nationalist have seen consistent rise in their TRPs. I view Hindi channels’ rankings and their content on and off.  I see similar viewership bias for Hindi channels that promote nationalist view point. Viewership is something that cannot be influenced by any government.  

Thus, the change in media narrative that critics and sour faced opposition lament about is not the taming of the media by BJP. They could never do it earlier, nor do I think they have the sophisticated arm twisting talents of Congress to do so.  The so-called liberal secular media didn’t reconcile itself to rise of Modi and all that it represented. They suffered in terms of viewership, and therefore, revenues since 2014-15. Then,  the reality stuck them hard after UP results and we saw a shift in the stance of many of the oracles of Secularism who spouted wisdom and spread the ideas like ‘intolerance’ and  presented ‘Breaking India’ forces as the genuine face of ‘dissidence’ as our political legacy.

If you look at this change in media outlook, it has been gradual. If BJP had managed it, you would have seen change in advertisement patterns and sudden mid-stream change in media narrative by 2015. It didn’t happen. Most of the channels reconciled themselves to the new India after UP 2017. Till then they were in state of denial and carried on their war against Modi/BJP brand of politics.

The presentation of a Republic or a Times Now or Zee TV etc may be shrill or lack sophistication. They may not carry faux liberal tones. But, left leaning channels and editors leave audience with no choice.  Audience wants to hear about core national issues that worry them, not patronising sermons.

I am one of the persons who feel that all so called national TVs are too focused on political stories and scandals; stories that fan anxiety and despondency. Many like us feel that there should be a better mix of genuine criticism about policy issues and projection of positive developments too. Unfortunately, it is still not happening.  I see no serious discussions or discussions on matters like Finance Bill or GST that impact our lives seriously. Such bills are passed without discussions while disturbances hog the headlines and strain opposition’s vocal cords.

A channel that can bring in this kind of mix has better chances of scoring with the viewers. But, till then, they will stick to channels that are in sync with their own view of the nation; an ‘Idea of India’ that is very different from apologetic guilt ridden ‘Idea of India’ being served to them since last 70 years.  Majority of audience have taken their blinkers are off.  I hope electronic media too remove their blinkers and take a dispassionate look at the changing national scenario rather than lashing out at the messenger.

First published in Organiser weekly dated 26th May, 2017